SQF CERTIFICATION
The SQF Program unites over 14,000 certified sites across 40+ countries and six continents. Partner with ASI to achieve and maintain certification, ensuring world-class food safety and quality.
- 01 What is SQF Certification?
- 02 What are the SQF Programs?
- 03 What are SQF Codes?
- 04 Where to Start?
- 05 How ASI Can Help
SQF certification offers independent verification that your product, process, or service meets international, regulatory, and industry standards. It assures customers that food is produced, prepared, and handled to the highest safety and quality standards.
With 13 industry-specific codes, the SQF Program provides clear, step-by-step guidance for production and manufacturing sites to achieve certification.
The SQF Programs provide tailored solutions for businesses across the food supply chain to meet food safety and quality standards. The main programs include:
- SQF Fundamentals: Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses starting their food safety journey.
- SQF Food Safety Code: Focused on ensuring food safety compliance for various industry sectors.
- SQF Quality Code: For businesses looking to enhance product quality management beyond food safety.
- SQF Ethical Sourcing Code: Supports responsible sourcing practices, including social and environmental accountability.
- SQF Retail/Wholesale Code: Designed for retail and wholesale businesses to ensure safety and quality across the supply chain.
SQF Codes are a set of globally recognized standards designed to ensure food safety and quality across all stages of the supply chain. These codes are industry-specific and provide clear guidelines for businesses to establish, implement, and maintain effective food safety and quality management systems.
Key SQF Codes:
SQF Fundamentals: Designed for small to medium-sized businesses to build foundational food safety systems.
SQF Food Safety Code: Focuses on comprehensive food safety management for primary production, manufacturing, distribution, and more.
SQF Quality Code: Extends beyond safety to address product quality, helping businesses consistently deliver high-quality products.
SQF Ethical Sourcing Code: Encourages responsible sourcing practices, including social and environmental accountability.
SQF Retail/Wholesale Code: Tailored for retail and wholesale businesses to ensure food safety and quality throughout their supply chains.
Each code provides a framework for businesses to meet regulatory, customer, and industry expectations, helping them demonstrate their commitment to food safety, quality, and sustainability. Selecting the appropriate SQF Code depends on your business type, goals, and the sector you operate in.
If you’re new to SQF, start by exploring the SQF Programs to identify which fits your business—such as SQF Fundamentals for beginners or the SQF Food Safety Code for comprehensive food safety management. Review the relevant SQF Code for your industry to understand its requirements.
Conduct a gap analysis to assess your current systems, then develop and document your food safety processes.
Consider a pre-assessment audit to ensure readiness for certification.
ASI can help you achieve SQF certification by providing expert guidance and support throughout the entire process. Here’s how:
Expert Knowledge: ASI specializes in SQF certification, offering insights into the specific requirements of SQF Programs and Codes.
Gap Analysis: We can conduct a thorough gap analysis to identify areas for improvement and help you align with SQF standards.
Pre-Assessment Audits: ASI offers pre-assessment audits to evaluate your readiness and help address potential non-conformities before the official audit.
Streamlined Certification Process: Our experienced auditors ensure a smooth certification process, helping you meet deadlines and achieve compliance efficiently.
Partnering with ASI means having a trusted advisor by your side, ensuring you meet SQF requirements with confidence and ease.
GET YOUR SQF CERTIFICATION QUOTE TODAY
SQF certification is the gold standard recognized worldwide for food safety and quality. Partnering with ASI Food Safety, a trusted and accredited certification body, makes achieving SQF compliance smooth and efficient.
WHICH SQF PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Refer to the chart below to compare the five SQF programs and find the best fit for your business.
PROGRAM | TARGET AUDIENCE | FOCUS | KEY FEATURES |
SQF FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM |
Food manufacturers, primary producers | Food safety | Ensures safe food production at all levels of the supply chain. Covers HACCP and risk management. |
SQF QUALITY PROGRAM | Businesses seeking to enhance product quality | Product quality beyond safety | Focuses on improving product quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction beyond safety. |
SQF FUNDAMENTALS PROGRAM | Small to medium-sized businesses | Basic food safety preparation | Helps small businesses start their food safety journey and prepare for full SQF certification. |
SQF ETHICAL SOURCING PROGRAM | Companies focusing on ethical practices | Social, environmental, and governance standards | Ensures compliance with ethical sourcing, covering social responsibility and sustainability. |
SQF RETAIL PROGRAMS | Food retail and wholesale distribution companies | Retail food safety | Ensures food safety for retail and wholesale sectors, helping secure food safety from suppliers to consumers. |
SQF CODES AND THE IMPORTANCE:
The SQF Code is the starting point for getting SQF certification. It lays out a detailed plan that shows how to create, put into action, and keep a strong food safety management system in place. The SQF Code includes clear guidelines and requirements that are customized for different areas of the food industry. This means it’s relevant and useful for a variety of sectors, making it easier for producers to ensure food safety in their specific situations.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: PRIMARY PLANT PRODUCTION
The Food Safety Code: Primary Plant Production encompasses indoor cultivation of fresh produce and sprouted seeds, production of fresh produce and nuts, packhouse operations for fresh produce, grain, and nuts, as well as broad-acre agricultural activities.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: PRIMARY ANIMAL PRODUCTION
The Food Safety Code for Primary Animal Production encompasses raising livestock for meat, milk, and eggs; breeding and hatching poultry and other animals; fishing, aquaculture, and seafood farming; and managing feed and water systems for animals.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: AQUACULTURE
The Food Safety Code for Aquaculture covers raising fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments; managing water quality and feeding systems; harvesting and processing farmed seafood; and ensuring biosecurity and disease prevention in aquaculture operations.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: FOOD MANUFACTURING
The Food Safety Code for Food Manufacturing addresses processing raw materials into finished food products, packaging and labeling, managing food safety hazards during production, and ensuring sanitation and hygiene in manufacturing facilities.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: ANIMAL PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
The Food Safety Code for Animal Product Manufacturing encompasses processing meat, dairy, and egg products; ensuring proper handling and storage; managing food safety risks during production; and packaging and labeling animal-based products.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: DIETARY SUPPLEMENT MANUFACTURING
The Food Safety Code for Dietary Supplement Manufacturing covers formulating and processing supplements from raw ingredients, ensuring quality control and safety during production, packaging and labeling for consumer use, and managing compliance with regulatory standards.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: PET FOOD MANUFACTURING
The Food Safety Code for Pet Food Manufacturing includes formulating and processing pet food from quality ingredients, ensuring safety and nutritional standards during production, packaging and labeling products for consumer sale, and managing quality control and regulatory compliance.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: ANIMAL FEED MANUFACTURING
The Food Safety Code for Animal Feed Manufacturing covers formulating and processing feed from raw materials, ensuring safety and nutritional standards during production, packaging and labeling feed products for livestock and pets, and managing regulatory compliance and quality control.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION
The Food Safety Code for Storage and Distribution includes storing food products under appropriate conditions, managing inventory to prevent spoilage and contamination, packaging and labeling for safe transport, and ensuring compliance with transportation safety regulations.
FOOD SAFETY CODE: MANUFACTURING OF FOOD PACKAGING
The Food Safety Code for Manufacturing of Food Packaging involves producing food-grade materials that ensure safety and compliance, maintaining hygiene and sanitation during manufacturing, testing for chemical and physical safety, and managing labeling and traceability of packaging materials.
ASI: SQF CERTIFICATION SERVICES
ASI Food Safety can support in preparation for SQF certification in several ways:
THE SQF PROCESSS
The process of obtaining Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification typically involves several key steps:
Download, your FOOD SAFETY CODE below, and understand SQF requirements
SQF CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Achieving SQF certification is a structured process that helps businesses establish and maintain high food safety standards. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:
PREPARATION
Start by familiarizing yourself with the SQF Code and its specific requirements relevant to your sector in the food industry. This step involves developing detailed food safety and quality plans that identify potential hazards and establish effective control measures.IMPLEMENTATION
Once your plans are in place, it’s time to put them into action. Implement the practices and procedures across your operations, ensuring that all employees are trained and understand their roles in upholding food safety. This step is crucial for turning your theoretical plans into practical actions.AUDIT
The next step is to undergo a comprehensive audit by an accredited third-party certifier. This audit assesses your compliance with the SQF Code and evaluates the effectiveness of your food safety and quality plans, verifying that the established practices are consistently followed.CERTIFICATION AND ONGOING COMMITMENT
Upon successful completion of the audit, you will receive your SQF certification, which is valid for one year. To maintain this certification, you must participate in annual audits and re-certification processes, demonstrating your continuous commitment to food safety. The SQF program encourages ongoing improvement, urging businesses to constantly seek ways to enhance their food safety management systems.
General Questions about SQF
Preparation for Certification
Audit Process
Costs and Logistics
Maintaining Certification
Training and Support
THE ASI DIFFERENCE
ASI doesn't just provide services; we create partnerships. We're committed to your success and your journey towards SQF certification. With ASI by your side, you're not just meeting a certification standard; you're embracing a culture of excellence.
Make the choice that reflects your commitment to food safety and quality. Choose ASI as your trusted partner on the road to SQF certification. Your success is our mission, and together, we'll build a safer, more prosperous food future.